Case Western and Rochester have a reputation for being geeky/nerdy like UChicago and Swarthmore and you may get good merit money there (and yes, you need to determine what you can pay).
USC has a reputation for being the opposite of intellectual. Not saying that kids who go there aren’t bright, but it’s definitely far on the pre-professional end of the spectrum.
Look in to New College of Florida. Likely affordable and might just be what you are looking for.